AN exciting new venture supporting talented dales musicians could have the added benefit of giving a redundant leisure centre a new lease of life.
The Weardale Musicians' Collective is in talks with cement makers Blue Circle over setting up a base in their former social club at Eastgate. The building operated as one of Wear Valley District Council's four leisure centres until cost cutting moves forced it to close.
Now founders of the collective hope they can raise the money to reopen it as an all purpose HQ with recording studios, rehearsal rooms, teaching base and concert hall.
Secretary Hilary Holmes sees the whole project as a means of stimulating new talent in the dale.
She said: "There is a lot of talent around and we want to promote that by giving them a showcase."
The collective's first promotion is a concert at Wolsingham Workmen's Club on August 12.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article